On the northern tip of Zanzibar, a community-run lagoon lets you meet green and hawksbill turtles up close. Here is how to visit responsibly, and what else to do in Nungwi once you are there.
Nungwi sits at the very top of Zanzibar, where the tide barely retreats and the water stays swimmable all day. It is best known for its sunsets and dhow builders, but for many visitors the highlight is a quiet natural lagoon where rescued sea turtles are cared for before being released back into the ocean.
The lagoon is run by local people. Fishermen who find turtles caught in their nets bring them here instead of selling them. The turtles are fed seaweed, given time to recover, and released once they are strong enough. Your entrance fee goes directly towards their food and care.
You can stand at the edge and feed the turtles by hand, or step into the water and swim beside them. Go early in the morning if you can: the water is clearer, the lagoon is quieter, and the turtles are more active. Please do not lift or hold them, and avoid sunscreen before you enter the water, as it harms both the turtles and the lagoon.
After the lagoon, walk along the beach to watch craftsmen build wooden dhows using methods that have not changed for centuries. In the late afternoon, join a sunset dhow cruise, or simply find a spot on the sand. Nungwi faces west, so the sun sets straight into the sea.
Nungwi is about one and a half hours by road from Stone Town. We can arrange a private transfer, a guide, and a full-day trip that combines the turtle lagoon, the dhow yard and a sunset cruise. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, water shoes and a little cash for local crafts.
